What significant information did I learn about these interviews?
"It was hard times then, the Depression," stated the street vendor, Clyde "Kingfish" Smith, and he couldn't be more right. All of these interviews showed how life was during the time of the Depression, and there were only a rare few that came out positive at most. I found it apparent that hardly anyone liked their job, they were just doing what they could to get by. Besides the unique case of Alice Caudle, who claimed she was "born to work in a mill", everyone interviewed showed a strong distaste for their situation. And from all of the awful information I learned from these interviews, I cannot blame them. I saw it significant that every single person had their own individual outlook of the Depression and their own ways of dealing with things. The more fortunate, like housewife Mayme Reese, tried to ignore the catastrophes going on around her and focused on her quilting. She was not directly affected by this financial crisis, compared to the lows of other people and businesses, like the women of the lower classes. During the Depression, the women did more than ever before. They worked all sorts of jobs, most with a bleak outlook, like being more than a housemaid. "But my dear, it wasn't housework I did...I was a nurse maid or a second girl--never just an ordinary girl out to service," said Marie Haggerty, describing all of the extra duties she had to take on, during the Great Depression especially. Mrs. Elizabeth E. Miller also found herself doing men's work, like catching hogs for the family. But all of the newfound opportunities for women certainly did not overrule the treacherous work of the men during this time. Most of the jobs for the lower class citizens were extremely dangerous. "You ain't an Iron worker unless you get killed," Chris Thorsten boldly stated. But it was true; from the bridges of the iron industry to the stone-cutting dust and silica that Mr. Garavelli tried to avoid, nearly all of the occupations of the Great Depression posed some sort of life threat. However, these jobs, no matter how endangering, were the only chance of survival for all citizens hit by the Depression. There were things that you had to do, even if you would never even dream of doing them, like how Bernice of New York City had to become a rent part hostess. And to top off all of this hard, hard work, everyone was treated poorly. Jim Cole, a very experienced butcher who had been in the business for twenty years, was not let into the Union because he was African American. Ana Novak, who worked at the stockyards, couldn't get along well unless she let the boss degradingly slap her on the behind. From these interviews it was easy to tell that everyone got their fair share of cruelty during the Great Depression. Some made it easier by trying to lighten everyone's spirits, like Clyde "Kingfish" Smith and his 'Heighho, fish man, bring down you dishpan' songs, or Irving Fajans' Union messages on toilet paper rolls. Some tried to find equality in this situation, like the man at Colonial Park, who claimed, "They got all the money an I ain't got nothing, but they got to breath the same air I do." But many took the easier route, such as the man at Eddie's Bar, who continually focused on the negative. These interviews taught me about the hardships of the Great Depression and that if you have the right attitude, you can make the best out of any situation.
Part Three B:
"Sallie Smith"
1. Who is the person being interviewed? Mrs. C. W. Higgins 2. What is her title or position? Mrs. 3. What is hes race, gender, and age? White, Female, Age not specified 4. Where is the Interview taking place? Burksville, Alabama 5. What is the date of the interview? December 17, 1938 6. Who is the interviewer? Marie Reese In this interview, Mrs C. W. Higgins discussed instances in her overall life, beginning with the time she visited her friend Sallie Smith. She was a white female of an older age, reflcting on her experiences. The interview occured on December 17th, 1938 in Buskerville, Alabama. The interviewer was Marie Reese.
"Looking Around With a Hay Farmer"
1. Who is the person being interviewed? W. Leonidas Cockrell 2. What is her title or position? Farm Owner 3. What is hes race, gender, and age? White, Male, Age not specified 4. Where is the Interview taking place? Livingston, Alabama 5. What is the date of the interview? September 14, 1938 6. Who is the interviewer? Luther Clark
In this interview, done by Luther Clark, W. Leonidas Cockrell explains his past and life on the farm. He is a farm owner, and the interview is taking place on this farm off of Route 3 in Livingston, Alabama. On September 14th, 1938, the date of the interview, he was of a rather old age, his prime years behind him. His age is not specified, but he does mention that he is two years older than his neighbor. Cockrell is white, male, and has recently rented his farm to his only son, Frank, because he can no longer get around well due to the rheumatism in his feet.
Exploring Oral History
Part Three A:
What significant information did I learn about these interviews?"It was hard times then, the Depression," stated the street vendor, Clyde "Kingfish" Smith, and he couldn't be more right. All of these interviews showed how life was during the time of the Depression, and there were only a rare few that came out positive at most. I found it apparent that hardly anyone liked their job, they were just doing what they could to get by. Besides the unique case of Alice Caudle, who claimed she was "born to work in a mill", everyone interviewed showed a strong distaste for their situation. And from all of the awful information I learned from these interviews, I cannot blame them. I saw it significant that every single person had their own individual outlook of the Depression and their own ways of dealing with things. The more fortunate, like housewife Mayme Reese, tried to ignore the catastrophes going on around her and focused on her quilting. She was not directly affected by this financial crisis, compared to the lows of other people and businesses, like the women of the lower classes. During the Depression, the women did more than ever before. They worked all sorts of jobs, most with a bleak outlook, like being more than a housemaid. "But my dear, it wasn't housework I did...I was a nurse maid or a second girl--never just an ordinary girl out to service," said Marie Haggerty, describing all of the extra duties she had to take on, during the Great Depression especially. Mrs. Elizabeth E. Miller also found herself doing men's work, like catching hogs for the family. But all of the newfound opportunities for women certainly did not overrule the treacherous work of the men during this time. Most of the jobs for the lower class citizens were extremely dangerous. "You ain't an Iron worker unless you get killed," Chris Thorsten boldly stated. But it was true; from the bridges of the iron industry to the stone-cutting dust and silica that Mr. Garavelli tried to avoid, nearly all of the occupations of the Great Depression posed some sort of life threat. However, these jobs, no matter how endangering, were the only chance of survival for all citizens hit by the Depression. There were things that you had to do, even if you would never even dream of doing them, like how Bernice of New York City had to become a rent part hostess. And to top off all of this hard, hard work, everyone was treated poorly. Jim Cole, a very experienced butcher who had been in the business for twenty years, was not let into the Union because he was African American. Ana Novak, who worked at the stockyards, couldn't get along well unless she let the boss degradingly slap her on the behind. From these interviews it was easy to tell that everyone got their fair share of cruelty during the Great Depression. Some made it easier by trying to lighten everyone's spirits, like Clyde "Kingfish" Smith and his 'Heighho, fish man, bring down you dishpan' songs, or Irving Fajans' Union messages on toilet paper rolls. Some tried to find equality in this situation, like the man at Colonial Park, who claimed, "They got all the money an I ain't got nothing, but they got to breath the same air I do." But many took the easier route, such as the man at Eddie's Bar, who continually focused on the negative. These interviews taught me about the hardships of the Great Depression and that if you have the right attitude, you can make the best out of any situation.
Part Three B:
"Sallie Smith"
1. Who is the person being interviewed?Mrs. C. W. Higgins
2. What is her title or position?
Mrs.
3. What is hes race, gender, and age?
White, Female, Age not specified
4. Where is the Interview taking place?
Burksville, Alabama
5. What is the date of the interview?
December 17, 1938
6. Who is the interviewer?
Marie Reese
In this interview, Mrs C. W. Higgins discussed instances in her overall life, beginning with the time she visited her friend Sallie Smith. She was a white female of an older age, reflcting on her experiences. The interview occured on December 17th, 1938 in Buskerville, Alabama. The interviewer was Marie Reese.
"Looking Around With a Hay Farmer"
1. Who is the person being interviewed?W. Leonidas Cockrell
2. What is her title or position?
Farm Owner
3. What is hes race, gender, and age?
White, Male, Age not specified
4. Where is the Interview taking place?
Livingston, Alabama
5. What is the date of the interview?
September 14, 1938
6. Who is the interviewer?
Luther Clark
In this interview, done by Luther Clark, W. Leonidas Cockrell explains his past and life on the farm. He is a farm owner, and the interview is taking place on this farm off of Route 3 in Livingston, Alabama. On September 14th, 1938, the date of the interview, he was of a rather old age, his prime years behind him. His age is not specified, but he does mention that he is two years older than his neighbor. Cockrell is white, male, and has recently rented his farm to his only son, Frank, because he can no longer get around well due to the rheumatism in his feet.